Mall landlord giant Simon Property Group has ratcheted up its rhetoric in its apparently hostile $16-billion takeover attempt of rival Macerich Co. of Santa Monica that could join two of the country’s largest shopping center owners.

Simon on Monday went over the heads of Macerich managers with a direct appeal to shareholders to accept an offer of $91 a share in cash and Simon stock.

On Tuesday, Simon posted a presentation on its website intended to convince Macerich investors to accept Simon’s proposal. It highlighted the 7% jump in the value of Macerich stock Monday as Simon’s takeover attempt made news.

“We are encouraged by the market’s positive response to the strong strategic logic underlying a combination of Simon and Macerich,” Simon Chief Executive David Simon said in a statement. “The presentation we have released today demonstrates the compelling nature of our offer based on a wide range of financial and operations metrics.”

Despite the meteoric rise of online shopping, traditional malls still occupy prime real estate in the retail landscape — as evidenced by the $16-billion bid for Macerich Co., owner of Santa Monica Place and dozens of other shopping centers.

The unsolicited bid came Monday from rival Simon Property...

(Roger Vincent)

Net operating income growth from 2006 through 2014 was 3.8% at Simon compared to 2.7% at Macerich. Total overhead costs as a percentage of total revenue last year were 3.5% at Simon and 8.7% at Macerich.

Macerich said Monday it was reviewing Simon’s offer and urged its shareholders to take no action. On Tuesday, Simon egged them on.

“Macerich shareholders interested in a significant cash premium and the upside potential of an investment in Simon should communicate their views,” David Simon said.